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CEO of Tea Party Patriots Jenny Beth Martin / Getty Images

BY: Susan Crabtree May 24, 2017 4:15 pm

The cofounder of the largest Tea Party group is trying to ratchet up pressure on the House and Senate intelligence committees to investigate illegal Trump administration leaks and the Obama administration's unmasking of U.S. officials and other citizens during the presidential campaign and transition.

Jenny Beth Martin, the cofounder of the Tea Party Patriots,sent a letter on Wednesday to the leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees pressing them to investigate the illegal release of classified information to the media and the unmasking of American citizens as part of their wide-ranging probe into alleged Russian interference and meddling in the last presidential election.

"I write as president of an organization with over 2 million, an organization that has directly felt the heavy hand of persecution by the very government we support with our taxes," she wrote in the letter. "Our concern is that your investigation's emphasis and focus on our government, again illegally interfering in the lives of law-abiding citizens, will go unaddressed with no accountability."

If the GOP-led committees in Congress ignore such allegations of abuse, it would be "absolutely unacceptable in the world's leading democracy, to which people around the globe look hopefully for leadership on issues of government accountability," she said.

The Tea Party Patriots were among hundreds of conservative organizations the IRS targeted for intrusive scrutiny during the Obama administration. The IRS forced the group to wait more than three years to receive its tax-exempt status.

Martin sent the letter to Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R., N.C.) and the ranking Democrat, Mark Warner (D., Va.), as well as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes(R., Calif.) and that committee's ranking member, Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.).

"There are clearly rogue government officials, with high-level clearances, engaging in criminal activity involving classified information. Where are the voices and concerns about this from you and your colleagues? The silence is deafening and eerily reminiscent to us," she said.

The line was a reference to multiple Congressional investigations during President Barack Obama's time in office into IRS targeting of conservative groups.

So far only Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) has pursued the unmasking issue in a public hearing, Martin said. She recalled Grahams questioning of former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates two weeks ago. He asked both: "How did the conversation between the Russian ambassador and Mr. Flynn make it to the Washington Post?"

"I don't know the answer to that," Clapper answered.

"Nor do I know the answer to that," Yates followed.

Later during the hearing, Graham said "it seems pretty obvious to me that political people could, in the right position, unmask people who have political differences, who end up talking to foreign agents and use it for political purposes. That, to me is very serious."

There are only a few high-level officials in the Obama administration who had the authority to unmask these private citizens, and lawmakers have an obligation to expose who is leaking classified information to the media so that they can be brought to justice, she said.

"Every day that passes without public, government accountability for these actions only further darkens the lens of cynicism and contempt through which the American people view Washington," she wrote, urging the key group of lawmakers to set full committee hearings dates to examine the unmasking and media leaks that continue to take place.

EarlierWednesday,news broke that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court rebuked the Obama administration in late October. Circareported that the court found that the officials had "violated the safeguards Obama and his intelligence chiefs vowed to follow in 2011."

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R., S.C.)on Wednesdaysaid government surveillance programs wont receive the necessary congressional reauthorization for them to continueunless officials answer questions about who in the intelligence community unmasked certain individuals.

Correction:This piece has been updatedwith the correct chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

View original post here:
Tea Party Group Calls for Investigation Into Leaks, Unmasking - Washington Free Beacon

California Democrats are experiencing a case of be careful what you wish for.

Young activists who backed Bernie Sanders for President are surging into the party's political process and now, they're upending the usual order. Establishment Democrats worry its their Tea Party, while Republicans see new hope.

During the California Democratic Party convention last weekend, Sanders drew chants without actually being there.

Self-proclaimed Berniecrats have quickly become a new, rowdy left wing of the party. And their disruptive protests and recent gains in party elections have gotten the attention of Democratic leaders.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom openly courted them in his bid for governor.

"Let me just acknowledge, you guys have had a pretty damn good day," Newsom said.

Meanwhile, outgoing party chairman John Burton grew frustrated when their chants for single-payer health care drowned out speakers.

"Sit the [expletive] down, please," Burton said. "Pretty please with sugar on it. Thank you."

Democratic party leaders and long-time operatives worry that this influx of new activists doesn't recognize their progressive credentials, such as passing a $15 minimum wage, aggressive climate change mandates and tight gun laws, while winning every statewide office.

Burton, a famously liberal lawmaker himself, argues they lack perspective.

"The world started when they woke up in the morning," he said.

Senate leader Kevin de Len praises their involvement, with a caution.

"Hearing different voices across the spectrum is a good thing," De Leon said. "We do also have to be also careful too that individuals dont set a litmus test of whos holier or purer than the other. Thats not who we are."

But many Berniecrats, such as newly-elected party delegate Patrick Weiss said a hard line is necessary.

"Theres no difference between a corporate Republican and a corporate Democrat, except on social issues," Weiss said.

And the movement is led by the hardline California Nurses Association.

"What kills me is that the California legislators actually think theyre progressive," said RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of the association.

She promised that the idea of "consensus for consensus' sake" is over.

"Were going to win and move this movement, Berniecrats, nurses, and all of the progressive Democrats, were going to move this movement across the nation," DeMoro said.

Democratic political strategist and party consultant Steve Maviglio has some concerns about the new wing of the party.

"Im trying to think of a very polite way to say this," Maviglio said. "The thing that concerns me is that when they dont get their way, so to speak, they act like petulant children and walk out of the room or kick sand in the sandbox. I think thats very dangerous for the party."

Maviglio and Republican strategist Mike Madrid both suggest a parallel to how the Tea Party has pushed the GOP to the right.

"It has been so consumed by its extremist elements it can no longer compete in the middle, and it left that for the Democrats," said Madrid.

He said California Republicans now could regain ground.

"It is no question an opportunity for the party out of power when the party in power starts to be consumed by its extreme wings, and make no mistake this is an extremist movement," said Madrid. "To suggest that somehow the California Legislature is moderate is almost a frightening notion."

Delegate Hawa Russell said her Berniecrats also see an opportunity, especially after their candidate for party chair lost only narrowly at the convention.

"Weve had a huge voice up here, and such a close win like that actually pushes us to move forward," said Russell. "Because we know we do have a voice."

Berniecrats, establishment Democrats, and Republicans will be watching how far left that voice will shift the party.

More here:
Are 'Berniecrats' The 'Tea Party' Of The Calif. Democrats? - capradio ... - Capital Public Radio News

Paul Laura 6:02 p.m. ET May 25, 2017

Paul Laura(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY PAUL LAURA)

I've been struck by a recurring pattern in some local Republicans' thinking on the environment.

One example is afailureto offer unified public support for Senate Bill 10, the recently passed bill that authorizes construction of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce the discharges that bring toxic blue-green algae blooms to our estuary.

Another is the recent debate over whether Martin County landowners should be allowed to alter wetlands.

In both cases,therationale illustrated when a speaker from the James Madison Institute addressed a gathering ofMartin County Republicans earlier this yearwas based on an extreme interpretation of property rights.

The tea party wing of the Republican party in Martin County, echoing the radical libertarian stance of the ultra-conservative James Madison Institute, adheres to a very narrow interpretation of the Constitution. It claims that as a landowner you have the absolute right to alter a wetland and, regarding SB 10, the state government does not have the right to take private land for public use.

The reservoir bill recently passedwith strong bipartisan support in both the Florida Senate and House.Why did the Martin County Republican Party not unify to publicly support its party'slocal senator, Joe Negron, who is president of that chamber? (NOTE: The Martin County Democratic Party supported this plan).

The tea party element does not believe in taking private land for public use, even if it is paid for. The original version of SB 10 called for purchasing land at market price based on a signed contract. We are not talking about eminent domain, which is prohibitedin SB 10. The final bill reduced the need for private land, but still there was no official public approval from Martin County Republicans. Does the tea party faction represent the will of county residents or cater to the desires of powerful outside interests? I believe a majority of Martin County residents and Martin County Republicans back SB 10. It is not a perfect bill, but compromise is what democracy entails.

Groups that support this extreme viewpoint (for example, the James Madison Institute) take a position on private land that severely restricts the role of government in regulating it. They claim to be following the "original intent" of the Founding Fathers. Ironically, James Madison generally is recognized as the "Father of the Constitution" and later introduced the amendments that would become the Bill of Rights. Among these original amendments is the Fifth Amendment, which includes the takings clause which simply states "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

This section not only grants governments the right to physically take possession of land but also implies the right of governments whether federal, state or local to regulate the use of land if it is in the interest of the community. Regulatory "burdens" frequently have been attacked as "takings" but ultimately permitted because they are needed to ensure the public good. This is just common sense.

This also is where the recent discussion of wetlands comes into play. Local government has the right to regulate how wetlands can be used or conserved. At a recent Martin County Local Planning Agency meeting, Scott Watson who was the lone approval vote on the application to allow for paving over wetlands of less than a half-acre claimed a landowner has the right to do with a wetland as he pleases just because he owns it. He is wrong.

Is the tea party element of the Republican Party representing the interests of Martin County when its representatives are advocating destroying wetlands which take centuries to evolve? Where are mainstream Republican Party members who are concerned about the environment? They are allowing this renegade group to hold our environment hostage by exaggerating private property rights, devoid of any element of social responsibility.

Paul Laura is chair of the Treasure Coast Democratic Environmental Caucus.

Read or Share this story: http://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/contributors/2017/05/25/guest-column-tea-party-leaders-martin-county-miss-mark-environment/346917001/

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Guest column: Tea party leaders in Martin County miss mark on environment - TCPalm

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) A special teacher at St. Vincent DePaul School in Mission Hills allows students to jump into the books they are reading with elaborate parties meant to bring books to life.

For 13 years, Kathleen Fink has ended the literature unit of her third-grade teachings by throwing her students an extravagant "Alice in Wonderland"-themed Tea Party.

The tea parties are considered legendary by her colleagues and parents. Staff dress up as the characters from the book and students are presented with special treats that look like they are straight out of a Disney movie.

But recreating the movie is not the point of the tea parties.

"My purpose was to get children to appreciate the classics not just see the movies to bring a book to life," Fink said. "We read, write, and study the art that goes along with Lewis Carroll's classic 'Alice in Wonderland.'"

This year, Fink's Tea Party is extra special, because it will be her last. Fink is retiring after this school year. The Mad Hatter, Alice and dozens of third graders dressed in their best hats were all their to make the event the best one yet.

Go here to read the rest:
Retiring teacher throws elaborate 'Mad Tea Party' for students - KUSI

Claim their lives are in danger if they testify.

It has been almost five years since news broke that officials at the IRS used the power of government to harass members of the Tea Party and other conservative groups.

The media has largely ignored the scandal and so far, no one has gone to jail. Earlier this month, IRS officials claimed they couldnt testify because their lives were at risk.

USA Today reported:

IRS officials say lives at risk in tea party bias case

Details about tea party bias claims against the IRS could remain secret because current and former agency officials say their lives are in danger if they publicly testify about the case.

Lois Lerner and Holly Paz both have argued in recent court filings that the threat to their lives outweighs the publics right to hear their testimony about how IRS employees in Cincinnati and Washington, D.C., handled applications for tax-exempt status from tea party groups.

They recently filed evidence to support their claim under seal in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. Though that evidence has not been made public, court records indicate it relates to death threats and other harassment the women say they endured after their names were connected to the bias claims against the IRS several years ago.

This documentation, as the court will see, makes very personal references and contains graphic, profane and disturbing language that would lead to unnecessary intrusion and embarrassment if made public, their attorneys argued in a recent court brief. Public dissemination of their deposition testimony would put their lives in serious jeopardy.

Are we to believe that members of the Tea Party have threatened the lives of IRS workers? Is it more likely that IRS workers mean their freedom is at risk if they tell the truth?

The leader of one conservative group is speaking out about this.

Rachel del Guidice writes at the Daily Signal:

What a Tea Party Leader Thinks of Lois Lerners Latest Move in Court

One tea party leader is still looking for answers from the IRS.

Lawyers for Lois Lerner, who resigned under fire as a division chief at the Internal Revenue Service, argue that more details of her reported targeting of tea party groups should not be revealed because her safety is in danger.

But Catherine Engelbrecht, founder of True the Vote, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to election integrity, said she wants to see such documentation released.

True the Vote was one of hundreds of conservative, nonprofit organizations whose applications for tax-exempt status were unfairly slowed or spiked by the IRS, and Engelbrecht said she intends to see the details come out.

My position on this is just Tell the truth, Engelbrecht said in an email to The Daily Signal. Tell it publicly, theres been enough covering up, theres been enough rumor and innuendo, theres been enough passing the buck.

Lerner and Holly Paz, another former IRS official involved in the scandal, recently filed papers in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, seeking to keep secret certain IRS practices they discussed in depositions taken in a lawsuit filed by tea party groups against the government.

Trump has been in office less than four months and there are already countless official investigations.

Almost five years on and theres been no justice of any kind in the IRS scandal.

Its infuriating.

Originally posted here:
IRS Officials Continue to Obstruct in Tea Party Targeting Case - legal Insurrection (blog)